Costa Rica and Guatemala share the lead at Central American Cup 

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, August 18, 2006.- Costa Rica, the first ever team from Central America to qualify for the Women’s World Championship, is sharing with Guatemala the top position at the XIV Central American Cup both with 3-0 records.

Led by team Captain Verania Willis, the Costa Ricans have swept Honduras, Panama and El Salvador during the first three days of action of the round-robin tournament that ends on Saturday.

“The team is showing more personality with Verania Willis performing as an authentic leader,” said Braulio Godinez, the Costa Rican coach. “We have been working in our blocking because that is a key factor during the World Championship.”

Costa Rica will play during the Preliminary Round in a pool with Korea, Japan, Poland, Kenya and China Taipei.

The results of the matches so far are the following:

First day: Costa Rica defeated Honduras 25-15, 25-17, 28-26, El Salvador edged Panama 25-18, 21-25, 27-25, 26-24 and Guatemala beat Nicaragua 14-25, 25-13, 25-18, 27-25.

Second day: Costa Rica crushed Panama 25-10, 25-9, 25-10, Guatemala defeated Honduras 27-25, 25-22, 25-21 and Nicaragua beat El Salvador 25-15, 25-13, 25-13.

Third day: Costa Rica beat El Salvador 25-9, 25-9, 25-13, Nicaragua defeated Honduras 25-20, 25-18, 25-20 and Guatemala beat Panama 25-18, 25-18, 25-20.